Work

Benchmarking of primary measures to achieve lowest NOx emissions in small-scale biomass grate furnaces

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Despite recent progress, NO x is still a major problem in biomass combustion, especially when using fuels with high nitrogen contents. The aim of this work was to determine the minimum NO x emissions achievable by applying primary measures in small-scale biomass grate furnaces. For this purpose, a new benchmark for furnaces using double air staging was defined on the basis of three different plants. An experimental study with different biomass fuels was conducted in two of these plants to systematically improve this benchmark. The results show that the new NO x benchmark using double air staging is up to 39 % lower than values achieved with conventional single air staging. Furthermore, this new benchmark was improved by extending the reduction zone, additionally reducing the NO x by up to 30 %. Secondary flue gas recirculation and partial load further reduced the NO x emissions. By combining the primary measures investigated in the 70-kW furnace, NO x emissions were achieved that were up to 70 % lower than those from other small-scale furnaces described in the literature. This efficiency also applies to fuels with a high nitrogen content, so that secondary NO x reduction measures can be avoided in most cases in furnaces in the future by taking this approach.

Source: Renewable Energy

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2024.121226

Authors: Maximilian Steiner, Robert Scharler, Markus Buchmayr, Christoph Hochenauer, Andrés Anca-Couce

Institutions: Graz University of Technology, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid

Language: English

Topic: Thermochemical Biomass Conversion Processes

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,160